Jeanne Scholz

1940 - 2018

Jeanne LaBorde Scholz

May 5, 1940 – May 7, 2018

Born in Yonkers, New York, Jeanne at age 12 moved with her parents Robert and Emily LaBorde and her younger sister Holly to Bronxville, New York where she attended Bronxville High School. Robert LaBorde was a well-known private investigator in New York City, where Emily LaBorde, ran a dance studio. As a contemporary of Martha Graham, Emily was a pioneer in the development of modern dance in this country.
During her first year of college Jeanne married, moved to Florida, and had a son, Michael. Later, divorced, she returned to Bronxville and became secretary to the deputy director of the Ford Foundation in New York City, where she met her to be husband Garret (Garry) Scholz. They moved to Madison Conn. Where Garry worked for the Winchester Division of Olin Corp. They had two more sons, Stephen and Christopher, and Jeanne attended Southern Connecticut College.
In 1973 they moved to Walnut Creek, CA. where Garry began his career with McKesson Corporation in San Francisco and Jeanne pursued her advanced education. She graduated Suma Cum Laude from the University of California, Berkeley in 1976; obtained a law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of Law in 1979; and clerked for California Supreme Court Justice Rose Bird. She also was a founding member of the Women's Political Caucus of the east bay. She was an active advocate for Women's Rights, campaigning for the ERA, and LGBTQ rights throughout her life. All this while raising her family.
Jeanne practiced law in San Francisco, initially as a member and partner of small law firms, and then as a sole practitioner, focusing on estate and family law. During this time, as AIDS was ravishing the country and San Francisco in particular, she volunteered legal assistance for AIDS victims at a time they were shunned by society.
Jeanne moved with her family to Mill Valley, CA. in 1986, where she continued her law practice, took up painting and continued volunteering. She served as president of the Marin Society of Artists in Ross, heading their first national competitive show. Singing was one of Jeanne's passions. For years she was an active member and supporter of the Chorale of Dominican University. Jeanne and Garry loved to travel, and visited dozens of places on every continent including Antarctica.
Sadly, she became a victim of Alzheimer's disease later in life and after a lengthy illness passed away on May 7, 2018. She leaves her husband Garry, her three sons, her daughters-in-law Irma, Carly and Daisy, and seven grandchildren Brent, Teddy, Sophie, Will, Ruby, Sadie, and Beckett who all miss her very much.
Memorial services will be at Fernwood Funeral Home, 301 Tennessee Valley Road, Mill Valley, CA, at 3pm, June 3rd. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer's Foundation of America in Jeanne's name.